Signal-man s belt



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS M. KING, OF PITTSBUBG, PENNSYLVANIA.

SlGNAL-MANS BELT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 238,919, dated March15, 1881. Application filed February 7, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, THOMAS M. KING, ofPittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Sign al-Mens Belts; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionthereof.

Railroad signal-men are required to carry a signal-flag and torpedoesfor signaling trains. The torpedo is of flat, round form, and providedwith a strap of soft metal, such as lead, soldered to it, by which it isfastened upon the face of the rail by bending the ends around the headof the rail. The flag is ordinarily carried in the hand, which is inconvenient, as it prevents the free use of the hands for other purposeswhen the signal-man is not actually engaged in using the flag, andrenders loss more liable, as the flag is often laid aside when thesignal-man is otherwise occupied, and may be forgotten. The torpedoesare usually carried in the pocket, and are often difficult to get atwhen most needed, which is in cold weather, when the signal-men areimpeded by extra clothing and wraps.

My invention consists of a signal-mans belt, suitable for strappingaround outside of the clothing, having a holster for containing theflag, and means of the general character here-' inafter specified forcarrying and protecting the torpedoes, so that they shall be easilyaccessible for use.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I willnow describe it by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved belt. Fig. 2 is a rearview; and Fig. 3 is a cross-section.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in each.

.The belt a is made of leather or other suitable material, and isprovided with a buckle, b, for adjusting it to the proper length, and afastening-buckle, 0, both of a known and suitable construction,

At one side of the belt I provide a holster, d, for containing the flag,and at the back, or, if preferred, at the opposite side, I rivet orotherwise fasten a flat suspension-strip, 6, pre ferably cut out at itslower edge to the shap' of the torpedoes, as at e.

Fastened to the belt, along the upper edge of the strip e, is aprotecting flap or cover, which is designed to hang over and protect thetorpedoes from the weather and from becom ing accidently displaced.

The end of the soft metallic strap g of thi torpedo g is inserted backof the strip 6, be tween the rivets h, and bent over, and thus sus pendsthe torpedo in the belt. The strip 0 ma; be made of sufficient thicknessto hold the torpedo in the concavity e from lateral oscilla tion. Thestrip c,however, maybemadewide1 and the torpedo slipped in behind it, inthe com partments formed by the rivets, which may also extend along thelower edge.

As before specified, the flat suspension-strip e for the torpedoes maybe placed at either the back or side of the belt; but it is recommendedthat it be placed at the back, for the reasor that if the torpedoes arecarried at the side danger may arise from the explosion of a torpedowhile coupling cars, the operators side being toward the bumpers at suchtimes.

My invention is cheap in construction, and convenient and easy of use.The flag and torpedoes are carried with the signal-man, and are alwaysreadily accessible, and the latte] are not liable to become useless byexposure, or lost or accidentally exploded.

This manner of securing the torpedoes does not increase the bulk orthickness of the bell to an objectionable extent, and as it separatesthem reduces the liability of accidental explosion when the brakeman orother person wearing the belt is employed between the cars, or otherplace where he is liable to have the bumper-head or other hard objectstrike the belt. It is important as one of the details which go to makea perfect and safe system 01 railroad management.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. In a signal-mans belt, the combination, with the body-belt, of a flatsuspension-strip arranged in loops along its upper half, adapted, asshown, to afford attachment for the cartridge-strap, and a pendent flapto cover and protect the cartridge against blows or friction,substantially as specified.

2. In a signal-mans belt, the combination of the body-belt, the flatsuspension-strip, having the scalloped lower edge to receive thecartridge, and the pendent protecting-flap, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

3. A signal-mans belt and flag-carrier, consisting' of the flexiblebody-belt a, having a cartridge suspension-strip, 6, arranged at theback of the belt, a pendent protecting-flap, f, to cover the same, and aflag-holster, d, attached to the side of the belt, the several partsrelatively arranged and combined substantially as and for the purposespecified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

THUS. M. KING. Witnesses:

T. B. KERR, L. G. FITLER.

